Torn between FCP and Vegas at DVinfo.net

Yang Wen · January 2nd, 2008, 04:42 PM

I've been a longtime Vegas user and currently uses Vegas 7 in my day to day editing jobs.

I'm currently at the point of looking to upgrade my current system in order to handle HDV.

I have a MacBook which I love and the only reason why I use Windows XP nowadays is for Vegas.

I used FCP to edit a music video last year and while it worked fine(and I love certain aspects of the FCP workflow, the application didn't feel NEARLY as smooth and responsive as Vegas 7 running on my antiquated P4 3.2GHZ machine. Granted, I was running FCP on a MacBook Pro with only 2GB of RAM. And I'm also comparing the performance of Vegas working with SD footage to the performance of FCP working with HD footage, but I thought the upgrade in CPU power would make up the difference. The responsiveness of an NLE is a HUGE factor for me.

My dilemma now is that I would love to purchase a MacPro and be 100% OS X. However, I don't know if the transition from Vegas to FCP is worth to be 100% OS X. I mainly edit weddings and I recognize the major workflow differences between Vegas and FCP. I think I can get use to the workflow differences.

Anyone here made the transition and how do you feel now?

Thanks.

Rick L. Allen · January 6th, 2008, 09:58 PM

Buy the mac.

The Mac (editing HD) was more "sluggish" than the PC (editing SD)? HD files are 4-6 times larger than SD files and depending upon codecs, etc. need way more horsepower to perform the same task. I'll bet that PC wouldn't even edit HD if you put them head to head. You've compared apples to bricks. If cost is a factor get Final Cut Express. It will do everything you need for weddings.

Glenn Chan · January 6th, 2008, 10:54 PM

Quote:

I'll bet that PC wouldn't even edit HD if you put them head to head.

Rick- huh? "PCs" can definitely handle HD editing.

Many high-end systems like Flame and Lustre run on PC/Linux (you can buy the same hardware yourself I believe), Quantel runs on Windows 2000. Scratch runs on Windows XP.

As far as the "affordable" side goes, there are a number of NLEs that can edit HD on Windows XP (e.g. Avid, Premiere, Vegas, etc.).

January 2nd, 2008, 04:42 PM	#1
Yang Wen Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 991	Torn between FCP and Vegas I've been a longtime Vegas user and currently uses Vegas 7 in my day to day editing jobs. I'm currently at the point of looking to upgrade my current system in order to handle HDV. I have a MacBook which I love and the only reason why I use Windows XP nowadays is for Vegas. I used FCP to edit a music video last year and while it worked fine(and I love certain aspects of the FCP workflow, the application didn't feel NEARLY as smooth and responsive as Vegas 7 running on my antiquated P4 3.2GHZ machine. Granted, I was running FCP on a MacBook Pro with only 2GB of RAM. And I'm also comparing the performance of Vegas working with SD footage to the performance of FCP working with HD footage, but I thought the upgrade in CPU power would make up the difference. The responsiveness of an NLE is a HUGE factor for me. My dilemma now is that I would love to purchase a MacPro and be 100% OS X. However, I don't know if the transition from Vegas to FCP is worth to be 100% OS X. I mainly edit weddings and I recognize the major workflow differences between Vegas and FCP. I think I can get use to the workflow differences. Anyone here made the transition and how do you feel now? Thanks.

January 6th, 2008, 09:58 PM	#2
Rick L. Allen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 535	Buy the mac. The Mac (editing HD) was more "sluggish" than the PC (editing SD)? HD files are 4-6 times larger than SD files and depending upon codecs, etc. need way more horsepower to perform the same task. I'll bet that PC wouldn't even edit HD if you put them head to head. You've compared apples to bricks. If cost is a factor get Final Cut Express. It will do everything you need for weddings.